Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Practice Test

When an individual returns to a task after being touched, this illustrates which concept?

1. Avoidance

2. Escape

3. Reinforcement

4. Negative punishment

The correct answer is: Escape

The concept illustrated by an individual returning to a task after being touched is escape behavior. In behavioral terms, escape refers to a situation where a person is engaged in a task and wants to avoid or terminate an aversive stimulus. When the individual is touched, it may serve as a prompt or a cue that leads them to abandon their initial task momentarily, but ultimately they return, suggesting that the touch acted as a neutral or positive reinforcement, prompting them to re-engage with the task rather than causing them to avoid it permanently. In this context, escape behavior reflects the individual's ability to leave a situation they find undesirable, even if temporarily, indicating they are motivated to return to the task after receiving a specific stimulus—in this case, the touch. This behavior demonstrates how an individual can manage their engagement with tasks based on sensory input or social cues, which is vital for understanding behavior in a more nuanced way.